"Even for those people who are prepared to donate, it's a considerable inconvenience and it's a concern," he said.

"When someone steps forward and is considerate enough to be a donor, you really don't want them worrying about financial issues at the same time."

B.C. project pays donors up to $5,500

Smitherman said the provinceislooking at a three-year live donor pilot project started in the summer of 2006inBritish Columbiaas a model for how to remove those types of barriers.

As part of its review, Ontario's organ transplant advisory panel studied the B.C. project, whichreimburses live donors up to $5,500 for accommodation, travel, meals, lost income and other costsof donating an organ.

Theadvisory panel was made up ofcitizens appointed by the government to figure out how to increase organ donations in the province.